Tires

Abstract

This chapter describes the methodology used in EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (WARM) to estimate streamlined life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emission factors for passenger vehicle tires beginning at the waste generation reference point. The WARM GHG emission factors are used to compare the net emissions associated with scrap passenger tires in the following four materials management alternatives: source reduction, recycling, landfilling and combustion (with energy recovery). Exhibit 1 shows the general outline of materials management pathways for glass in WARM. For background information on the general purpose and function of WARM emission factors, see the Introduction & Overview chapter. For more information on Source Reduction, Recycling, Landfilling, and Combustion see the chapters devoted to those processes. WARM also allows users to calculate results in terms of energy, rather than GHGs. The energy results are calculated using the same methodology described here but with slight adjustments, as explained in the Energy Impacts chapter.